The Meaning of Baptism (Mark 16:15-16)

The Meaning of Baptism -
Mark 16:15-16

INTRODUCTION:
Baptism is one of the the key doctrines of the NT. Along with the Lord’s Supper, these are probably the only two NT practices that are found in all religious groups that claim to be Christian. But, of course, there is a wide diversity of teachings on both of them.

But what we are interested in, because we want to honor the authority of our Savior, is what does the NT teach? In this study, we will take a look at Mark 16, following the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (16:1-8). Incidentally, your translation of the Bible might note that verses 9-20 are not found in the oldest manuscripts of the NT. I have an article in the church bulletin on that question, so you might want to pick up a bulletin and read that article to get a better understanding of the question.

Let’s study the text…

JESUS MAKES PROVES HIS RESURRECTION - 16:9-13:
Mark does not mention very many of Jesus’ appearances after His resurrection. But in verse 9, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene who had been possessed by seven demons at one time. There is no reason to believe Mary was a prostitute (a confusion of her and the woman in Luke 7:37-39) nor any more sinful than any other person. But she was a devout follower of Jesus. Mary herself went to the apostles while they were mourning and weeping from the loss of their dear friend. Yet, even when they heard from Mary and the other women that Jesus was, in fact, alive, and had been seen, they could not believe the news (ver. 11). God chose those who tend to be ignored by society to be the ones who share His gospel (1 Cor. 1:26-28).

Women were not considered reliable witnesses in the court in the first century so that Jesus’ appearance to Mary and other women shows: 1) God respects the ability women have to be reliable witnesses, and 2) the Bible reflects inspiration by the Holy Spirit because uninspired man would not have had women to be the first witnesses of Christ’s resurrection! And, 3) Jesus expected His male followers to believe and respect the testimony of the women (see verse 14 for His rebuke of the men for their incredulity).

Also note here that faith is a choice. These men “refused” to believe. Faith is not a gift from God that He drops into our laps. We often use Peter walking on the water as an example of faith; but keep in mind that he - and none of the other disciples - made the choice to step out of the boat! Faith is a choice.

In an appearance given in more detail in Luke 24, Jesus appeared to two disciples as they were walking in the countryside. He appeared in a “different form” so that they would not recognize Him until He was ready to reveal His identity. In what form that was, the Scriptures do not relate. After that encounter, they left to report the news to others, who also had a difficult time believing the news.

THE GREAT COMMISSION - 16:14-18:
Jesus finally appeared to eleven apostles as they were eating together (ver. 14). Jesus scolded them for their unbelief at the news of His resurrection and the hardness of their hearts, their obstinacy, in rejecting the testimony of the eyewitnesses. Jesus intended the Jews to accept His spoken testimony to the word of God; He expected His disciples to accept the spoken testimony of the eyewitnesses; He expects us to accept the written testimony of the eyewitnesses (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and Paul).

Jesus sends the apostles out in verses 15-18. They were going to be leaving (as He was going to return to heaven), so He told them as they were going into the world, they needed to preach the gospel to everyone and anyone, “all creation.” When someone believes the message and is immersed in water for the forgiveness of their sins (see Acts 2:38), then that individual will be saved. If someone refused to believe (and subsequently would refuse to be immersed), then that person has been condemned and judged by Christ Himself (ver. 16).

Since the apostles (and early Christians) would not have a New Testament written down or their use, Jesus would give them miraculous powers through the Holy Spirit. The purpose of miracles was to give the audience a reason to put trust into the spoken message. In this text, the miracles were five:

1) Christians will cast out demons;
2) Christians will speak in new languages which they had not studied;
3) Christians will not be harmed by the bite of venomous snakes;
4) Christians will not be harmed by poison in their drink;
5) Christians will heal the sick through their hands.

Religious groups which practice infant baptism pervert the words of Jesus from Mark 16:16, making the text say: “He who is baptized (as an infant) is saved and then needs to believe.” That is not what Jesus taught.

Other religious groups (the majority of Protestants) teach that man is saved only by faith and pervert the words of Jesus to say: ‘He who believes is saved and then needs to be baptized.” That is also not what Jesus taught. Baptism is more than “just a response” to the gospel; it is intricately tied to receiving the blood of Christ.

In my NT which I normally preach from, there are some essays in the back which are designed to help someone in their spiritual lives. Unfortunately, they also teach doctrines of demons (as we talked about last week) because they teach some things that are not from the Holy Spirit.

So, before I go further in my critique, let us agree with the words of the apostle Paul: “all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Rom. 8:14). It is also logically true and accurate to negate both sides of this statement so that we are accurate to say: “all who are not being led by the Spirit of God, these are not sons of God.” And the fact of the matter is, what my NT teaches in its final pages are not words of the Holy Spirit…

From my “Bible:”

How to receive God's love and plan. In His mercy, God has determined that salvation is free. To receive it, you need to do only four things:

Acknowledge the problem (separation from God because of sin).
Admit to being a sinner, and that you need salvation.
Recognize that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins.
Commit yourself to Jesus Christ so that He can save and guide you.
Receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, now.

The one text that this essay mentions is Romans 10:9 which mentions confession and belief. But Romans 10:9 does not mention repentance. Nor does this essay. So, did the Holy Spirit teach that someone has to stop sinning before they can be saved? Yes or no? If someone says you can be saved without repenting, as this essay does, then it is clear they are not being led by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 10:9 also does not mention baptism. But the Holy Spirit does. Multiple times. But the Holy Spirit also tells us multiple purposes for baptism and I will insist that if someone is dunked under water without knowing what the Holy Spirit has taught on baptism, then they are not being led by the Holy Spirit. You cannot be led by the Holy Spirit to be baptized and not understand its purpose!

Instead, my “Bible” teaches - and most Protestant churches teach - that all you have to do is “invite Jesus” into your heart and pray this prayer:

A prayer to receive Jesus Christ

“Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned against You and that I do not live according to Your plan; therefore, I ask You to forgive me. I believe that You died for me, and in doing so, You paid the debt for my sins. I repent of my sin and now I want to live the kind of life that You want me to live. I ask you to come into my life and be my personal Savior. Help me to follow You and to obey You as Lord. Allow me to discover Your good and perfect will for my life.”

It is simply the case that the Holy Spirit never told anyone to pray such a prayer. And those who do and have said such a prayer are not and have not been led by the Holy Spirit to do that. Which means they are not children of God - per Romans 8:14.

People who desire to honor Christ will take His words as He said them and meant them and not twist His teachings to fit preconceived ideas that are not found in the text of Scripture.

It is clear from Mark 16:16 that belief and baptism are needed in order to be saved. Peter teaches that “baptism does now save us” (1 Peter 3:21) because it is at the point of immersion in water when sins are forgiven (Acts 2:38) and one is washed by the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16; Eph. 5:26; Heb. 10:22) and one is united together with Christ in His death and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-4).

Additionally, it is at the point when a believer (one who trusts Jesus in order to obey Him) is baptized, he is spiritually circumcised (Col. 2:11-12), and “puts on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27), and is added by the Holy Spirit to the church of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13); it is also the point when he or she is born of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5).

JESUS WORKED THROUGH CHRISTIANS TO BRING OTHERS TO SALVATION - 16:19-20:
This paragraph recounts the ascension of Jesus after He had given His last message to
the apostles (ver. 19). Jesus ascended to the right hand of God (in fulfillment of Psalm 110:1).
Then the apostles (ver. 20) went out and preached everywhere with the risen Lord Jesus
working with them through the signs which the Holy Spirit was working through them.

Take home message: Obey and then teach Jesus’ (the Holy Spirit’s) plan of salvation: believe, repent, and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Only then can one become a child of God.